candace

We have 4 night to spend in Belgium - should we choose 4 nights at the Metropole in Brussels or 4 nights at the Romantik Pandhotel in Brugge. We would like to do a couple of daytrips either way (to Ghent, or Antwerp). Has anyone stayed at either or these hotels, and if so, any suggestions as to accomodations. We have to travel to and from the Brussels International Airport, and we are expecting a train switch either way. I'm noticing many people prefer Brugge and their hotels. Are the beds larger than a standard double (we're from the US and are used to queen or king sized beds)? We'll be there over Easter weekend - will everything be closed down? Thanks for the info.

Diane

My preference is Brugge having been there twice. Brussels was nice too, but I prefer small cities over big cities. In Brugge I stayed at the Hotel Jacobs, http://www.pcug.co.uk/~benecom/hotels/bruges/jacobs/ and the Egmond Hotel, http://www.egmond.be/ <BR><BR>Hotel Jacobs was nice, in a quiet area about a 10-minute walk into town. The Egmond is more centrally located. Both are very nice. <BR><BR>If you stay in Brussels, I recommend the Manos Hotel -- just be sure to request a room overlooking the garden as the street facing rooms can be noisy, http://www.manoshotel.com/premier/index.html

joe

the metropole is a fantastic hotel with a gold birdcage elevator and elegant rooms. the outdoor cafe is a great place to try the great belgium beers and watch the world go by. brugge is like a dream and an easy train ride. do not miss staying at the metropole. i've been all over europe and stayed in 50 or 60 hotels but the metrople is the best.

Ruth

Yes the Metropole has fantastic public rooms (the ground floor breakfast room is a delight, so is the cafe) - but the rooms are nothing special, although they are a good size with big beds. We've stayed there twice - their weekend rate is much better than the weekday rate. Could you do 2 days in each city? Both Bruges and Brussels have plenty to see for 2 days each, and it is easy to take the train between them. Ghent is lovely too.

candy

just heard from the Pandhotel today - "no room at the inn" so we've decided on the Prinsenhof - 4 days in Brugge and we'll go to dinner at the Metropole while visiting Brussels. Thanks for your suggestions and input<BR>

Patrick

Sounds like we should have switched weeks, Candy. Over three months ago we tried to book the Prisenhof, our first choice, for four nights in June and it was full, so we opted for Pandhotel, our second choice, but highly recommended.<BR><BR>Having been to both Brugge and Brussels before, I'd suggest staying in Brugge for the four nights rather than Brussels.

Louise

It's such a shame you couldn't get into Pandhotel. It is insanely gorgeous. We had an amazing suite there last May for $200 a night. Exchange rate was very good at the time, don't if it still is.<BR><BR>Brugge hotels are very spacious (not like big city European hotels) and the beds are a good size.<BR><BR>You will LOVE Brugge.